The Hong Kong International Literary Festival Returns

From November 2 to 11, the Hong Kong Literary Festival returns, as a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar. And to celebrate its 18th year, it has found itself a new home – the newly opened Tai Kwun Heritage and Arts Space serves as a focal point for the festival, which has previously hosted events across the city.
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This year’s festival explores poignant and prevalent themes in today’s society, from feminism and LGBTQ+ issues, to politics, the environment and history. Explore the wonders of the written word, with a programme featuring acclaimed novelists, poets and more from across the world. For those who think of reading as a solitary activity, the festival has a whole host of offerings that prove this wrong.
Poetry in the Prison Yard is a series of outdoor spoken word readings, delivered by international and local talent and award-winning slam poets. Hong Kong-based journalists lead a podcast workshop on November 3 for aspiring hosts, while news broadcaster Jonathan Miller leads a discussion on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s rise to power, which he has chronicled in the newly published book, Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines. Other highlights include a session organised by the British Library exploring works of note and the legacy left by acclaimed author, Oscar Wilde. Original manuscripts will also be made available to view on the British Library's website, with Chinese adaptations available.
On the penultimate day, the festival hosts its annual Gala Dinner. This year’s special guest is the critically acclaimed author Cheryl Strayed, whose memoir, Wild, was a New York Times bestseller.
With record-breaking attendance expected (and a few events already sold out), we’d advise booking tickets sooner rather than later, to avoid disappointment. Visit the festival website for further information on programming.
With the exception of Poetry in the Prison Yard, events are ticketed. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketflap.
Read more! Check out What's Inside Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, and explore the rest of our Culture section on Localiiz.

Following a brief and bitterly cold stint in Scotland, Amanda returned to Hong Kong—a place she’s called home for over 18 years—to begin her career as a writer. She can often be found getting lost somewhere very familiar, planning her next holiday, and enjoying a cup (or three) of good, strong coffee.

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